Bass Trap Fabric & Allergy

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anoopbal

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Has anyone experienced any allergy symptoms after installing bass traps? I made some bass traps, covered it with felt fabric. Once I had it on, I had runny nose, headache, fever. I didn't have too much rashes or skin itching. I sleep int he same room too.

I have read about how certain fabric could cause allergies. The felt fabric I got is made from used plastics in Japan. Earlier i thought it was the fiber glass, but I don't think so. I covered it up and still have runny nose and stuffed up head. Some say it could due tot he fumes from these fabric. I taped a piece of the polyester on my forerm for 15-20 min, but I didn't experience any rash or itch, so I am guessing it could be the fumes. Maybe its from the fiber glass itself.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

Thank you so much
 
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No, (just a meaningless 'sample of one'- but to chime in'
Can you pull them out (and back in later) for a test'?
 
Yea that's what I did last night and I felt fine. Eyes weren't itchy nor was congested. I think it is the formaldehyde fumes. But I don't know if it is from the fiber glass or the fabric.

I was thinking of getting some thin wrapping plastic and wrapping it. i read about some leave it outside for a few weeks to get the fumes out. But I don't have a place to dry t without getting rained.
 
I think it is the formaldehyde fumes. But I don't know if it is from the fiber glass or the fabric.
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Formaldehyde fumes? You can smell it? ummm, fiberglass doesn't produce fumes. It's inert. Either the fabric is the culprit or your traps aren't made with fiberglass. Please verify these are made with fiberglass, and what type, brand etc. As for the fabric, do you have any spare leftovers? I would smell the fabric isolated from the absorption material.
 
The felt fabric I got is made from used plastics in Japan.
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Just saw this. Real felt is not made from plastics. I believe this may be your problem.
 
When I mean fumes, I mean the emissions from the resin that holds the fibers together. I have the John Manson 814 rigid fber glass. I have read how Ethan of GK accoustics makes formaldehyde free bass traps now. I will try having a piece of the fabric right by my nose to see

Yep, not true felt, this is the material: How It’s Made | Eco-fi

I got it from Joann Fabrics. But can the fabric hold so much formaldehyde or VOC that it can mess you? I am wondering now its more from the fiber glass than the fabric. I am am planning to leave the whole thing out for a few days to get the fumes out. And even use a slight plastic covering.
 
I have read how Ethan of GK accoustics makes formaldehyde free bass traps now
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ummm, Ethan doesn't work for GK Acoustics. Ethan OWNS RealTraps. Now, I "may" be wrong, but I believe that "may" be an old advertizing trick. It's called the Pink Tuna syndrome. ie..in order for the Tuna industry to get people to purchase tuna instead of Salmon..they guaranteed their tuna wouldn't turn pink. In this case, of course their traps are "formaldehyde free". They're made with fiberglass.:rolleyes::facepalm: vs companies who make theirs from foam, which is made using formaldehyde. See what I mean. Now, if Ethan or GK want to clarify this...by all means...be my guest.:D
 
Were you cutting your fiberglass panels?? If so, you probably got dust on you and that can irritate the skin, nose and eyes.

If you're near a Walmart; go there and buy light fabric from their bargain bin. It's supercheap. Get light polyester fabric that you can blow through.
Don't use the felt stuff. It's... weird. <ewwww> :D
 
anoopbal..if you are allergic to fiberglass, you are allergic to glass. Cause THAT is what it's made of. Spun glass. Simple as that. The fibers are sprayed with a polymer glue, but is heated to 500 degrees to bond. There is no formaldehyde. Of course, even the Corporate manufacture's will use the Pink Tuna syndrome. After all..they're stinking corporations.:rolleyes: They'd shoot their mother if it meant a .00000001 raise in profits. I won't go there but if you knew who owned these company...well, thats a whole nuther discussion.:mad:

Commercial Building Insulation - JM Formaldehyde-free™ Insulation

btw, here is how batt insulation is made. Rigid fiberglass is simply compressed more and bonded the same way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfwIv0hvntw
 
Thanks everyone. I had them out for a few days and then wrapped it with stretch wrap. I put 3 of them in the room and had no problem. I might get cotton or something and cover it for the looks.

And I didn't cut the fiber. It already came in pieces. I took of of the foil from a few of them and that may have had some particles flying. i am still not sure if it from the fabric or the fiber or both. I didnt have any skin rashes when I was building them so I think it is more from the smell or vapors.

I have searched gearslutz and a few other forums about the same problem and have seen a few threads describing the same symptoms. Some of the symptoms were the exact same, like a fever, itchy throat, eyes, headache. Some think it s the fabric (burlap, and some think it is from the fiber glass or both). If you stretch wrap it, it is not gong to affect the low end, but will reflect the high end. For bass traps, that is ok.

Now can't blame the room for my voice :)
 
Anoopbal,

Correct. New fabric, fresh-from-the-factory-Johns Manville rigid, even fresh timber can cause allergic reactions. Did you know that Teak, Rosewood, Redwood, and even resinous pine can is poisonous or allergenic to some degree? Various products affect people differently so if you are sensitive, make SURE that you 'air - out' any new products that you put in a sleeping room.
Foreign elements and gasses will cause a histamine reaction in most people, but if you are allergic or asthmatic, (as my wife is), you should take precautions.
That said: These products are NOT dangerous to general health. Rock wool or fiberglass does NOT cause cancer or anything like that, but it can be very irritating to some. - I hate it but I am not allergic and it doesn't give me any problems...

Always air-out any new products that you put in any enclosed space where you will be sitting for hours. - Just a good rule.

If escaping fibers is an issue for you, use a 1/2" or 12 mm layer of Dacron behind the fabric finish. OR use some Auralex or foam wedges as a topping over cheap fabric. This does a double-duty of making the surface of the trap very absorbent at all angles AND helps contain any fibers that my want to escape. This is also a good technique to use for OVERHEAD traps. - But like I always say sometimes, "It doesn't dance!" So, unless someone is BEATING on the finished trap, no fibers are going anywhere.

Cheers,
John

PS. I don't recommend stretch wrap... cling wrap, etc... too 'iffy' as far as response is concerned. Like Forest Gump said, "Cling Wrapped traps are like a box of chocolate...."
Let 'em air-out. Wrap them and you are prolonging the agony. ;)
 
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My burlap-covered traps smelled when I first made them (but my asthmatic wife didn't complain!) but are fine now, a couple of weeks later.
 
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